Collaborative Research Initiative on the Nutrition of Adolescent

www.nyas.org/AdolescentNutritionRFP2015.pdf
Notes from the Question & Answers Session held on Thursday, July 2nd, 2015

1) Different types of applications

Question 1: We’re interested in exploring aspects of our data beyond just nutrition (and those listed in
Table A) by conducting and intervention. Is this group eligible for the B2 application?
Answer: Yes, as long as your research questions are relevant to the overall objective of the call and it is
well justified.

Question 2: Can submissions to B2 also be submitted for B1? Will all submissions be considered in B2?
Answer: All B2 submissions are considered for both groups. Studies not selected to B2 will still be
considered for inclusion in B1. As for A submissions – we will not have a point of comparisons for other
data sets.

Question 3: Do I apply to be in the investigators group?

Answer: Proposals that fit criteria to be included in the investigators group (B1) will be automatically
considered.

Question 4: Will the dataset be included in any joint analysis, as is for B1 proposals, or will it be
individual proposal specific?
Answer: We do not expect that at this stage, observational studies (A) will be included in a joint analysis;
so each proposal may be specific to the datasets.

2) Characteristics of datasets and studies

Question 5: What is the minimum sample size that will be considered?

Answer: There is no minimum to sample size. Data quality is as important a factor as the number of
observations collected. Your data needs to be powered by 50 people or be a smaller specific group with
bio samples.

Question 6: What is the minimum data collection period that will be considered?
Answer: There is no minimum

Question 7: Do we need to restrict only to the research questions outlined in Table A or can we
include additional questions?
Answer: Yes, as long as your research questions are relevant to the overall objective of the call and it is
well justified.
Question 8: Are there specific topics of interest for B2 proposals?
Answer: Topics of interest are the same for all three types of proposals, A B1 and B2.

Question 9: We plan to collected nutritional indicators in a project, and would like to underpin this
with qualitative data, is this something you would be interested in supporting?
Answer: It depends on what is meant by “qualitative data”: qualitative information that can be
quantitatively analyzed (e.g. measures of well-being) can be included. Information collected through
qualitative methods (e.g. focus groups) cannot be included.

Question 10: How recent should the original dataset be?

Answer: Data needs to be as current as possible. Regions where data may not be frequently collected
may not have recently collected data, in this situation we would like you to use the most recent data
available for that group. Data may be used if an update is planned to be done by February 2016. We
have a particular interest in ongoing studies where some data have been recently or are currently being
collected, so any studies planning to collect or update data until February 2016, which is the date at
which we anticipate analysis must start, will certainly be considered.

Question 11: We are currently writing a protocol for an ongoing longitudinal study. While it is being
developed, can also propose existing data for use in this research project?
Answer: Yes

Question 12: Are you looking for data on chronic deficiencies, puberty and growth?
Answer: See Table A as a framework for our interest, priorities and guidelines. Data can be collected
independently on specific variables.

Question 13: If my original data set includes boys and girls can I only analyze the girls’ results?
Answer: Yes

Question 14: Is the focus on developed or developing countries?

Answer: the Sackler Institute attempts to achieve a balanced portfolio across populations in developed
and low income countries, population types (e.g. urban/rural), age groups within the adolescent
population, as well as about health status (obesity, deficiencies, stunting). However, we will also be
looking for a common thread among the various studies so they can learn and benefit from each other.
The final portfolio will reflect this balance.

3) Practical information

Question 15: Is it possible for there to be co-PI’s for this proposal, can they come from the same
institution and /or different institutions internationally?
Answer: Multiple principal Investigators are possible and can be from the same or from different
institutions as is relevant to the proposal.

Question 16: How will recognition and authorship be handled for the manuscripts that result for the
combined data?
Answer: For combined datasets, joint ownership will be given for researchers and investigators. As far as
authorship for joint analysis with investigators –The three contributors with the most writing and
leadership in the paper will be named first, others are included in alphabetical order. Researchers will be
given an opportunity to volunteer to be involved in writing.

Question 17: For B2, can multiple submissions be done using the same dataset?
Answer: Yes we will accept multiple applications on the same dataset if submitted separately. You may
also analyze multiple datasets so long as you have combinable data.

Question 18: Will the data analysis be proposed and can we do it jointly?
Answer: for B1, yes. For B2, the data analysis will be done independently, and will be discussed with the
group

Question 19: Do we do data analysis independently or will it be done centrally in this research
collaboration?
Answer: Data analysis will be done collaboratively, so the proposals must take into account the need for
statisticians and database management. There will also be a centralized architect who will work with the
database managers to collect, compare and evaluate the possibility to pool the datasets and conduct
pooled analysis.

Question 20: Can we do analysis on a subset of the population, where more data on certain variables
are available?
Answer: Yes

Question 21: Can we conduct a Mediation analysis?

Answer: Yes

Question 22: Can we recommend the secondary analysis?

Answer: Yes

Question 23: How do we share the data?

Answer: We will determine the best way for the data to be distributed. This information will be
distributed after submissions have been reviewed by the committee. What is submitted will determine
how we share.

Question 24: What are the parameters of the budget?

Answer: You can use the grant for any costs related to your research. There is a max 10% admin fee on
the proposal but anything else related to the project is reimbursable. Examples include sending a post
doc to conduct secondary analysis. It is possible for multiple PI’s from different universities but there will
be only one institutional grantee (that will then redistribute to others).